Picking up where I started.

Dont misjudge me.

I look at Sydney and lean my head in my hands and mouthed "I'm gonna get you" in response Sydney rushed to the back of the shop no where to be seen, I took my muffin and my matcha and went to leave. Before I knew it I felt a hand grab my arm, I quickly dart my eyes in confusion. Which slowly soften when I saw it was her.

"My name is Aaliyah by the way." She then passed me a note which I assumed was her number,I take it and smile.
"Nice to meet you Aaliyah,I'll see you soon" she let me go and rushed back to her station.

With that I left,some time passed and it was getting late.I started to get ready for youth night,I was glad I didn't have work today because I might not have went. I walked to my car and zoomed off to church,music blasting I had some Caleb Gordon playing,a little bit of wande and her new album and then some actual worship music that wasn't rap.
Just then I enter the building and see all the younger people starting from ages 18 and up. It always confused me why the adults were always here,it was youth night not adult night but I guess get the word anyway you can huh?

I look over to my left and saw pastor Alan walking toward me ,he pulled me into a hug and pulled back.

"Ah son it feels like I don't see you much now a-days" he smiled at me

He was a 45 year old man,who still looked decent for his age. He was about 5'9 and never went out without wearing a fly outfit with some fly Nike kicks.

"Yes sir iv been working hard is all." I then looked to my left seeing a face pull up beside us. To my surprise is was Aaliyah, I couldn't believe it.

The pastor looked at his side and held her upper back with his palm" ah this is my daughter the one I had been telling you about was in medical school."

I lifted a brow "interesting." I said plainly

Aaliyah laughed out loud for a few moments,leaving her dad questioning what he missed.

"Dad I go to school with him." She looked at him

Her dad was shocked "wow that's crazy,but you know what I'm not surprised." He acted as though he knew something.

I smile "nice to meet you again Aaliyah."and with that Aaliyah hummed in response . Her dad eyes us and then shrugged "well I'll leave now.." he rushed off

I watched him then casted my gaze back at her "so you're a pastors daughter." I say hiding my smile

She didint seem to confident in that title but she nodded in response.

"That's nice,I'm actually surprised." I notice a change in her face like she wanted to move on so I did.

"Well I heard that y'all got snacks up in here,I'm hungry." I rubbed the back of my head to make sure my waves were still nice.

She looked at me and her expression was hard to read "let's go then."She
Took  me to the snacks they had on a foldable table. I took a rice crispy and some other items and stuffed them in my pockets.

I saw her take a whole bunch of things,I wanted to offer help but she darted to her seat near by and sat them down before rushing back to me.

"You are more hungry then I am." My expression a little confused

She scoffed and frowned a little "not even."

"Even." I said to return the tone

She looked at me and hit my arm slightly with a smile, her smile was wonderful. She took her phone out and gave it to me"why didn't you text me ?" She quickly changed the topic and I paused "oh.." I responded and searched my body for my phone. I pulled it out and texted her as I already saved her number.
Her phone rings and I smile "I did tho." I lied in the moment.

She looked unpleased "I saw you just text me..."

I looked away from her cold gaze "I think someone called my name-"

She interrupted "Malachi!" She jokingly yells, which made me scratch the back of my head

"Look I'm sorry I was real busy." I had my hands up in defense.
She smiled "ion really care I'm just jokin, but I wanted to invite you to a party tomorrow night."

I looked at her and already she could see my answer was no." Nah ion think so." I said softly looking at her analyzing her face.

She sighed "it's not a party like that,it's laid back type of party. There ain't no drinking." She crossed her arms looking at me trying to pursued my interest.

I just stare at her with a soft gaze "so a Christian party.." I lift a brow at her
And she coughed a little.

"Well the host is not..Christian,but she knows I won't go unless it's laid back so she incorporates me."

I look up at people talking and then at her fixing my posture "I'll only go cause you go." I take a sip of my water.
She tilts her head and smiled "how cute,it starts at 7." She walked away to her seat not before eyeing me in a way to say I was eye candy. It wasn't a lustful look so I didn't mind it,but I wasn't gonna get ahead of myself. She was beautiful for sure,but I wasn't ready to bring this further. I sat down and the youth night had started.

The next day I'm at work,as a medical receptionist. No one had came in yet so I was sitting there bored out of my mind. It was now 6 o clock pm and I had 30 minutes left, I was gonna be late so I texted her.

"Hey, I'm gonna be a little late."

Message read.

"That was fast" I thought to myself before she responded back.

"It's fine I'll wait for you there." She text back.

Some time later I went home and changed and went to the location she sent.

Aaliyah's p.o.v

I waited for him to arrive but for now I went inside to hang out with my friends. I was sitting on the couch minding my business,untill I heard my friend call out to me.

"Aaliyah! Come on out here." She said from outside in the back yard.

I have a big sigh before getting up to see what she wanted "what Chloe ?" I asked her
I noticed the music was loud and the kids out here were really throwing down, the music was old school rap and it made me kinda move a little but not giving in much.

She pulled me over to her friends who I did not wanna get to know, she introduced me.

"This is Aaliyah yall!" She smiled as she had a red solo cup in her hand

"Whoa Chloe,you drinkin ?" My eyes widened

Chloe didint respond and shrugged it off "look my girl is single and ready to-"

I cut her off "um no ma'am,I am not."

The music changed and it was making me feel like I needed to be in the grove for real.

Chloe looked around "DANCE CIRCLE!" She yells and people gathered around, I was getting bumped into left and right. I pulled myself from the crowd and sighed before I knew it I was pulled back in.

The boy Chloe introduced me to had my arm in his hand "where are you going?" He smiled

I looked at him and rubbed my lips together "leaving." He frowned and shook his head "what why?" He was interrupted when Chloe swooped in "this was our song! Remember the dance ?"
I agreed and laughed with chloe"oh my gosh yes!!" I shouldn't have said that because next thing I knew I was pulled into the circle. Everyone gathered around us and we started the dance, dancing in ways a women of God shouldn't have been. I was going back to my old ways in the heat of the moment,I was a throwin it back.

The song ended and I looked up to catch a gaze of someone I wish wasn't there at the time,someone I wish hadn't seen me. Someone I forgot I was waiting for. "Malachi.." I whispered to myself. I saw him walking back inside with regret on his face, I knew I messed up before it even started. I was not like this,I was made new. How could I do this? I felt conviction heavy on me. Sorry God. I was not representing you in the moment.